hasten on, for already my strength fails me," digressed Matilda, after enjoying a glass of wine that Robert had timely proffered. "I would gladly take you back, Matilda,' said he, while tears stood lingering in his eyes, but the ship now following in our track, would be sure to intercept us, and her size would insure our destruction.' Just then I heard a report like distant thunder, which he informed me was a gun from the other ship, telling me at the same time not to be alarmed, as he was fast gaining ground, and would in all probability be out of sight by the next morning. "But can you not put me on board of some ship, should chance throw one in our way, that would carry me back?' "I will do all that I can, Matilda; but I fear that certain death would befall me from the hands of these infuriated wretches, were I to pass any vessel that I could take, and I dare not approach any other kind, for they are all blood-thirsty Spaniards, who care no more for shedding blood than they do for smoking.' "All hope of ever getting back was now at an end. I raved. I charged my brother with all my misery. I settled down at last in utter despair, resigned, yes, fatedly resigned to every thing. "Day after day passed, and the time for my accouchement was drawing nigh. "It was indeed a horrid, though a stern reality; but I will not dwell. "Ere we had reached the port of our destination, I gave birth to twins-two fine, healthy children-a boy and a girl. "It must be joy beyond description to a fond mother's heart, when in the presence of her husband and all that can make such a situation agreeable, she for the first time holds to her bosom and feasts her eyes with looking upon her first offspring; but words fail to tell the sufferings of one so unfortunate as myself. "A few weeks after that event, my brother, overwhelmed with sorrow on account of the distress which he had occasioned me, informed me that we were rapidly approaching the Isle of Pines, and that if the weather, which was then propitious, should continue, he would relieve me of part of my uncomfortableness by putting me ashore. This promise, although it brought me no nearer to thee, my husband, gave, nevertheless, a feeling of pleasure; and according to his words, the next evening saw me and my fatherless little babes in pleasant circumstances. "In a neat little dwelling, situated in a romantic dell, not more than half a mile from the sea; surrounded with every thing capable of making life agreeable, except all those endearing ties of home, and home's influences, I was left by my brother, whom I have never seen or heard from since. "Years rolled by, and my children grew apace, till maturity stamped upon their brows the noble impress of puberty. "In the course of time, our daughter was married to M. Lecatt, who was never excelled in the capacity which he filled. "Soon all but our son, who refused to go, removed to the colonies. I have never seen him since; but when last I heard from him, he was married also, was the father of one child, and in the command of a ship. You need not start, dear husband, when I tell you that your little foundling, in my opinion, is none other than our grandchild. Be that as it may, we will wait for time to solve the mystery, and then tell him all." "It is my daily prayer that such may be the case,' said Robert, just as the two young men walked up and joined their company. CHAPTER XIX. "OH! for some fairy talisman to conjure Up to their longing eyes the form they pine for! ON the day succeeding the bitter cold night on which Aunt Amie departed this life, the same that bore testimony to the expulsion of Mary Scarborough, and witnessed the unparalleled sufferings of Andrew Hall, the family of Robert Scarborough was moving along the rough highway in a large carriage, destined for the cottage on Onancock. "What object do I observe, lying yonder in the snow?" said Alonzo to Leander, who were seated in front, endeavoring to guide the horses with difficulty over the almost impassable road. "See, it is just behind that heap of fallen boughs." "By St. George, it's a man !" said Leander. "Ho! grandfather!" said Alonzo, who had been calling the old man by that name for a long time, "grandfather, yonder lies a man almost enveloped in the snow-what shall we do?" 66 Jump down, by all means, my boys, and if it is a man, render him all the assistance that you can! Go, I will hold the horses." Alonzo, the child of misfortune, always remembering how dependent he once was, never hesitated to perform an act of benevolence to the meanest of his race, sprang from his seat, and soon stood beside the unfortunate traveller. "Come on, Leander," called Alonzo to his friend; "it is a man, sure enough, and I believe he is quite stiff." "And almost naked, too!" observed Leander, running up. Here, take my surtout, and wrap him up good; now take hold with me, and we will carry him to the coach." Thus saying, they gently but quickly lifted him to the carriage, then put him in, and again urging the two faithful steeds more earnestly, the diminutive roof of Aunt Amie's cottage was soon visible in the distance. In the space of twenty minutes, their journey ended, and the panting animals were in full check at the door. Seeing no smoke issuing from the chimney, the first thought that entered Robert Scarborough's brain, was that Aunt Amie was dead and her habitation deserted. Assisting the young men in taking down the lifeless body of the stranger, he handed Matilda from her seat, and telling the others to hasten in and try to |